Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2014
89. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position on the potential 38% cuts to community groups as represented by the Dublin inner city community alliance; how he expects progress with these cuts; if he has provided the alliance with the allocation model; and if he will meet the group to discuss its concerns. [40939/14]
View answerThis question relates to the potential 38% cuts in funding for community groups in the inner city. They have sought access to the rational allocation model from the Minister. Furthermore, they would welcome an opportunity to discuss their concerns about the cuts with him since they are causing much stress and distress.
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. She has spoken about it previously and I accept that it is a source of concern.
Within the constraints of the prevailing budgetary situation I have been particularly mindful of the need to prioritise funding for the local and community development programme, until March 2015, and its successor, the social inclusion and community activation programme, from April 2015. It was necessary to do this and it is welcome that I have done so. My aim is to ensure resources are allocated in the fairest way possible and make the maximum contribution to tackling disadvantage, job creation and economic recovery.
The intention of my Department is over time to use the available knowledge of population levels and disadvantage to ensure available resources are targeted at areas of greatest need. As a tool to assist in this process, the resource allocation model, RAM, which will be made available has been developed. It allows relative disadvantage to be measured throughout all census areas. To achieve the objective of moving towards allocating resources according to this model, in recent years my Department has worked to ensure funding is protected for those areas with greatest need according to the RAM. This principle was used to decide on funding allocations for the social inclusion and community activation programme and I am satisfied that the funding allocated to Dublin's inner city under SICAP is a fair allocation of resources using the model.
The funding reduction referred to should be considered in the context of several specific factors which applied to the Dublin inner city funding arrangements under the current programme. In particular, the community development programme funding model was not based on population and deprivation levels, as proposed for SICAP, instead providing funding for two staff, on average, and overheads in each project. In addition, the fact that there was no local development company in the inner city gave rise to a higher number of separate structures and associated costs relative to other areas, creating scope for efficiency savings to be made in the new arrangements under SICAP. Notwithstanding this and since it is a matter of concern, my Department will be liaising with Dublin City Council and other appropriate stakeholders to find a workable solution in terms of transitional arrangements that may be required in the specific circumstances arising in the inner city. In the meantime, local and community development programme funding for the groups concerned will continue until the end of March 2015.
I have already been told that in the period from January to April there will be a cut of approximately 6%. It is important that the Minister meet the groups in question and listen to their concerns. The statistics are available. This area has the highest number of unemployed persons, as well as the highest number of lone parents. I am unsure whether the allocation model to which the Minister referred is getting to the core of all of the issues involved. I will outline one story. I attended a project graduation ceremony recently. Certificates were given to those who had undergone training and some of the graduates were not able to attend. Why? The reason was they were in work. That shows how these projects in communities are working. I am keen for the Minister to take the opportunity, if only for a short period, to hear about the work being done because sometimes these organisations and individuals are lost in the percentages and models to which the Minister referred. Is the Minister prepared to meet them?
I have already confirmed to the House that I am prepared to meet them. There is no issue in that regard; it is a question of agreeing a time. That is my commitment. The process must be gone through. It has begun and it is necessary to undertake it as part of the tendering process. It needs to be executed. I am determined to ensure a fair solution to the issues involved which have been raised by several Deputies will be found, either through the SICAP model or whatever necessary measures need to be taken in parallel with the process. It is not possible to go into the detail of the matter now, but I assure the Deputy that I will be keeping a close eye on it to ensure a fair distribution.
